Reserve Officer Program

The Division of Law Enforcement is charged with the vital responsibility of providing wildlife and marine law enforcement services along more than 8,400 miles of Florida's saltwater coastline and 37 million acres of land and fresh water. Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers, sworn state law enforcement officers with full powers of arrest, are employed to carry out this task.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers protect Florida's resources as well as the people who use these resources. They provide general law enforcement protection for everyone enjoying Florida's natural resources, but their primary focus is Boating Safety and Resource Protection. During times of crisis, such as civil and natural disasters, Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers are called upon to provide general law enforcement as part of the state law enforcement response.

Overview

The Reserve Program is made up of dedicated individuals who assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement in their mission to protect the state's wildlife, fresh and saltwater aquatic life and human resources. Reservists are located throughout the state. They are sworn law enforcement officers who volunteer their time and work under the direct supervision of FWC law enforcement personnel.

Funding for this program is not currently available so all associated expenses including the purchase of uniform(s), service weapon, gunbelt, holster, and accessories are the responsibility of the applicant.

New Reserve Officers will be required to complete a field training program within six (6) months of their original appointment.

Reservists are required to work a minimum of 8 hours per month or 24 hours per quarter and attend periodic meetings and training sessions.

MEDICAL AND VISION REQUIREMENTS

Each Reservist Applicant must pass a drug screening, thorough medical examination by a physician, and meet the following vision standards:

• Unaided vision shall not be less than 20/200 in each eye and shall be corrected to 20/20.
• Field of vision must be 160 degrees.
• Must have the ability to distinguish primary colors and have binocular vision.
• Must not have double vision, lack of depth perception or other chronic eye disorders that affect normal vision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR RESERVISTS

In order to be considered for a Reservist position with the Division of Law Enforcement, you must:

• Be at least 19 years old.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Possess a valid class E Florida driver license and have an overall good driving record.
• Have not been convicted of any felony; or any misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement.
• Have not been dishonorably discharged from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Have good moral character as determined by a comprehensive background investigation.
• Have already completed Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Standards training for Law Enforcement Auxiliary Officers per section 11B-35, Florida Administrative Code, or have current Florida Law Enforcement Officer certification
• Pass a thorough background investigation conducted by an agency investigator
• Pass an oral interview

In addition, each applicant will be fingerprinted as part of the criminal history check and the fingerprints will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for comparison.

For additional reservist information, contact your local Law Enforcement region office.